I have had the CPAP for about two weeks now, all I know about it is that my setting is 13.  I live in an area with a lot of mold and other allergens, (Memphis, TN).  People here joke about never having allergies until they moved here.  I have never had allergies before moving here.
When I sleep with the machine, I can get through the night if I take some psuedophedrine, or use nasal spray.  Neither is something I want to do on a regular basis.  I have used the humidifier and heater, it seems to help a little.  Oh, the mask is the gel type that fits over just the nose.  I also was given a chin strap to keep my mouth shut, (wife says I should have gotten that years ago.)
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had tried some other kind of mask or device that works better if you have sinus congestion.  I am planning to talk to my doctor about this, but I just found this forum and thought somebody on here might have already been through this.  Thanks!

I have the same issue.  My sinuses always seem plugged on one side or the other.  My Dr has had me try Rhinocort and some other allergy spray, neither helped.  My pressure was set to 12 but since it doesnt seem to work well I turned it up to 15 and still not working like it should.  I feel it is not working because of my blocked sinuses. I talked to my Doc and he refered to an ENT.  The ENT says it is not mucas blocking my sinuses but a deviated septum and enlarged turbinates and suggested surgery to correct them.  I will give it a try and we'll see what happens.  I would stay away from the Pseudoedphedrine because I believe it messes with sleep patterns.  As far as masks I know of none that make it easier to breathe.  You might want to try breathe right strips.  I went to a full face mask because I vented out through my mouth with the nose mask.

Hi Neil,

I have allergies and take a precription antihistamine.  It really has no side effects and there are a lot of good Rx antihistamines available like, Zyrtec, Allegra, Clariton, etc.  I also use a Rx steroidal nosespray, the systemic absorption is minimal and it helps me a lot.  Some of those are Flonase, Nasonex and Rhinocort.

Additionally, I have posted recipes and directions on how to perform sinus irrigations, which is great for allergy sufferers, people with colds, and general congestion.  Search for that post.  Read the whole post because it starts out sounding more difficult than it actually is.

Finally, if you are still opening your mouth with your chin strap after getting your congestion problems cleared up, then you might need to try a FF masks.  Work on the snooz and let us know how you are doing!

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Hello, I had a sleep study 4 yrs ago. Was determined I had sleep apnea (obstructive) Got a Cpap and was set at 8. Had a nasal mask. Kept blowing my mouth open!  even though this occured also during my sleep study, it was not addressed. Then got a chin strap to keep my mouth closed but would get short of breath because could not get enough air through my nose. Had the preasure turned up to 10 which seemed to work better but then after about 4 months started getting a lot of bronchial congestion and coughing up a lot of pleghm in the mornings. As my breathing quickly and continually got worse, went back to doc. and was diagnosed with bronchial asthma. Was referred to an allergist that put me on numerous inhaler, decongestants nasal sprays and tested me for allergies which blood testing showed I was allegic to something?  I did not react to any of the allegens I was tested for, Then it was determined that I was probably allergic to dust mites and the congestion was coming from my sinis drainage and was being forced into my bronchial passages by the Cpap. OK now I was referred to an ENT. Eventually had sinus surgery, repair of deviated septum, and removal of my uvula. (the tissue in my throat that was causing the obstruction) Plan was to get off the Cpap, but have been unable to. Still have the asthma, and makes it easier to breath. And I have less wheezing.  But after 4 yrs I want to get off. Its just that now we have this hate/love relationship. I just want to say if I had it to do over, I would have had my sinus problem checked out first (though I didn't know I had a problem) before starting on the cpap, Ideally it would be nice if all the docs worked togethe, but thats not usually the case. At least with me. By the way I did go to a full face mask, which did help with the breathing but still continued to blow gunk from the sinises, and still does even after the surgery.  Good Luck to you Allie

Hi Allie,

You had sinus surgery but did your docs. ever put you on anything for your allergies like Zyrtec, Claritin or Allegra and steroidal nose sprays like Rhinocort, Flonase or Nasonex? (see my post above yours).  Frankly, rather than the surgeries, your doctors should of gotten the allergies and congestion under control first.  If your allergies were under control, that might of relieved the congestion enough that you would not of needed surgery.  Many people use CPAP successfully with a deviated septum, it depends on how badly it is deviated.  Additionally, unless your uvula was abnormally large, it isn't generally the uvula that causes the obstruction in OSA.  You would also benefit greatly from sinus irrigation (also mentioned in post above).  It actually feels great and gets rid of congestion and any allergens up there causing it.  I've had two major sinus surgeries (unrelated to OSA but because of allergies) and both my ENT and allergist have me doing this at least one daily for 11 years now.  It has really helped with my congestion.  If your sinuses are squeeky clean before you use your CPAP, your CPAP has filters, there wouldn't be allergens in your nose to irritate it and less gunk would be pushed around.

If you are having trouble with your CPAP, repost your issues and perhaps we'll have some ideas for you.  

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Hi I have a lot of problems with allergies also.  Live in FL.  I use the Breathe Right strips that you can get at the pharmacy.  They work great.  They keep my nasal passages open and I don't usually have to use anything else.  I was like you having to use decongestant.  Another thing that helps with the mouth dryness is this stuff called Oral Balance gel.  It is put out by Biotene.  I found it in Walgreens.  CVS doesn't carry it. Publix will order it for you if they don't stock it.  It's worth it.  Hope this helps.  Good luck.

I'll second the Breathe Right strips.  I have chronic nasal congestion too, and I use a full face mask.  I also use nasonex but I am not convinced it is working.  The Breathe Right Strips really make a big difference.  I get the ones for sensitive/dry skin because the other ones are a little rough on the skin when you peel them off every morning.  Good luck.

Just a follow up, yes I was put on allegra D, Nasonex, Singular, advair, because it was determined that i had developed asthma, That was 6months after starting the cpap. Since my asthma was not responding i was sent to a pulmonalogist. that decided i had obstruction and he sent me to the ENT. I had a CT of my sinus cavities and they were completely plugged up and not able to drain properly. and then every night I was just blowing more air into them. by this time I realized I was a mouth breather and had a full face mask. Thats when he decided to have the surgery. I am still on all the meds, and not breathing any better.  Unless of course ii am wearing the cpap. which continues to blow  and are blowing gunk into my airway all night.  I did use the normal saline right after surgery and I might try it again,  Otherwise the gunk from my sinises get into the bronchial passages and contribute to the inflammation. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I also think I am going to ask for a follow up sleep study to see how effective the cpap is since the surgery. Open to all suggestions and also to know if any one else has this problem.   Thanks for the input.. Allie